At age 11 her mother passed away after a yearlong illness. In 1946 she graduated from Hamburg High School. After graduation she moved to McGehee to live with her grandmother. She was working at Beck's Drug Store where she met her future husband of 61 years, Major Elmer Smith. He would come in every day to see her and get a sour lime. He took her home one night and they started dating. After dating for a year they married at the First Baptist Church parsonage. After the ceremony they took a train to Little Rock and caught a bus to Fayetteville where they made their first home while Major completed pre-med classes. From there they moved to Little Rock and Major completed Medical School at UAMS. Their first child Major Jr. was born in Little Rock in 1951. After graduation from Medical School in 1952 they made their home in Atlanta for a year of internship at Emory.
In 1953 they made their home in Dermott where they had two more children, Paula and Greg and where Major practiced medicine for 35 years. Margaret was a mother and housewife until the children were grown and then she helped out in the clinic.
Margaret loved to play bridge and have bridge parties. She loved to sew making many of hers and her daughter's clothes. If she had trouble putting in a zipper, Major could do it for her. She has always been an avid reader and in recent years her favorite books were Anne Rule True Crime. She was a Razorback fan and had season tickets to Little Rock games for many years.
Margaret and Major adored their two grandsons Matthew and Drew and took vacations with them and their parents every summer. They also took lots of trips with friends in Dermott and with Major's brother Bob and sister-in-law Margaret, Major's sister Betty Jo Chapman and their son Major, Jr. They went to New York, Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, Gatlinburg, Tennessee to name a few places. The past two years she vacationed at Orange Beach with Paula, Buddy, Drew and his girlfriend Emily.
In earlier years, they enjoyed square dancing and after retirement enjoyed dances at the American Legion with friends.
Other than her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Major E. Smith, two sons, Major E. Smith, Jr. and Gregory Steven Smith, one grandson, Matthew Chesser, an Uncle Paul Matthews and one brother John Paul Matthews.
Survivors include one daughter, Paula Chesser and husband Buddy of Monticello; one grandson, Drew Chesser of Sherwood; two great granddaughters, Kaitlyn Beth Chesser and Madelyn Claire Chesser of Maumelle.
Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Friday, November 6 at Dermott Baptist Church with burial in Dermott Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Memorials to: American Diabetes Assn., American Heart Assn. or American Cancer Assn. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(18)
Bob and Margaret Smith
The Colony, TX Thursday, November 5, 2015 Our thoughts and prayers are with you!We wIll miss all the Good Times we had together.
Gay Brister Gragg
Pine Bluff, AR Thursday, November 5, 2015 Condolences are extended to the family. The loss of a loved one is always difficult, because they can never be replaced. My prayers are that you find strength, comfort, and peace through your memories of the special moments you shared with her.Karen Brown
Monticello, AR Thursday, November 5, 2015 Paula, I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. May the peace of God cover you all. Love yaKay Worbington
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula, My sympathy is extended to you and your family at this sad time. I did not know your mom, but by reading about her life, I can tell she was a grand lady! It was very interesting reading of her life. It sounds as though she and your dad lived life to its fullest. I will say a prayer for you as you adjust your life without her.Ronald & Becky Jenkins
Foorence, MS Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula, our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.Mary Compton Terry
Benton, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula, after losing my Mom last week, I know what you're going through. My prayers are with you and your family.Beverly Chesser
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Dear Paula, my sympathy, thoughts & prayers are with you, Buddy, Drew and all your family ~ praying the Holy Spirit will fill each of you with God's comfort, peace and the promised hope of being reunited with your Mom & all your loved ones one day. With love & prayers,Beverly
Delbert and Candy Sizemore
Dermott, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Our thoughts and prayers are with your family Paula , we enjoyed helping her so much in Dermott. May you feel the love of friends more closely at this time.Linda Bolding
Rogers, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula,You and your family are in my prayers. Ms. Margaret is not hurting any more and think what a wonderful reunion she's having with your Dad, Skippy, Greg and Matthew. She will be your guardian angel, and always be with you.
Donna Kay Waldrup Odum
Heber Springs, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula - so sorry for you loss, but so happy for your mother! Praying for all of you.Lelia Davis
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula so very sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayersJody Gladden
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula, Thinking of you and your family and praying for you. Sorry for your loss. You Mom was a sweet lady.Monica Wilson
Conway, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Praying for Paula Chesser and family during this difficult time.Pat Savage Montgomery
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 So very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Kaytlin Cruce
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula, I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.Susan Starks
Montciello, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula you have been in my prayers and continue to be. Love you!Sue Hutton
Lake Village, AR Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Paula and Family,My prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God provide strength and comfort.
Sue Hutton
BARBARA NEWTON
MONTICELLO, AR Tuesday, November 3, 2015 So very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of your Mom, Paula.She will be missed.